Parsippany, USA, October 24, 2013 / B3C newswire / - DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing and technology business of Royal DSM (NYSE, Euronext: DSM KON), announced today that it has signed a manufacturing agreement for commercial supply with Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, The Netherlands.

The agreement covers the commercial manufacture of a monoclonal antibody used for the recovery and purification of coagulation factor IX from human blood. Factor IX is a protein produced naturally in the body, which helps the blood form clots to stop bleeding. Collaboration between DSM Biologics, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, and Sanquin has already started with technology transfer and will entail a subsequent GMP manufacture of the anti-factor IX mAb at DSM Biologics' facilities in Groningen, The Netherlands.

Nonafact® was the first factor IX product that received EMA approval in 2001. Nonafact® is administered to prevent and treat bleeding in patients suffering from hemophilia B (a congenital lack of active Factor IX). A deficiency of Factor IX causes blood coagulation problems, which may lead to bleeding in joints, muscles or internal organs. Due to increasing interest from the international markets a second supplier of the anti-factor IX mAb is needed. With this agreement DSM has become a second supplier to Sanquin for an important process intermediate which is used for capture of human factor IX from blood plasma.

Manja Bouman, President of DSM Biologics, commented "We are delighted to be working with Sanquin on manufacturing this important product and providing security of supply for patients in need. DSM Biologics will bring over 27 years of manufacturing experience, state-of-the-art facilities and a global team of experts to help drive the success of one of Sanquin's lead products. "

Gelmer Leibbrandt, Unit-director Marketing & Sales of Sanquin Plasma Products, says: “There is an unmet medical need for coagulation factors in the hemophilia community. We see an ever increasing demand for Nonafact®. A guaranteed availability of our product is needed to act as a reliable supplier to the patients, that’s why we are delighted to cooperate with DSM to support us with their supply of this crucial anti-factor IX mAb.”

Nonafact® is a registered trademark of Sanquin.

About Sanquin Blood Supply FoundationSanquin was established in 1998 through a merger between the Dutch blood banks and the Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (CLB). The Foundation is responsible for blood supply on a not-for-profit basis and advances transfusion medicine as such that it fulfills the highest demands for quality, safety and efficiency. Sanquin delivers products and diagnostic services, conducts scientific investigations and provides education, instruction, in-service training and refresher courses. On the basis of the Blood Supply Act, Sanquin is the only organization in the Netherlands authorized to manage the need for blood and blood products. It is also a not-for-profit organization and therefore it has no profit motive. Sanquin employs approximately 3,000 workers all across the Netherlands. The Sanquin organization is constantly conducting research and developing new and improved blood and pharmaceutical products. Sanquin ensures the safe and efficient blood supply in the Netherlands. More information can be found at www.sanquin.nl

About DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 23,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around € 9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsmbiologics.com and www.dsm.com/pharma

Forward-looking statementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM’s future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

For more information:

Guy TieneDirector, Marketing and CommunicationsDSM Pharmaceutical Productstel. +1 973 257 8160email
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Robert HeckertManager CommunicationsSanquin Blood Supplytel. 0031 20 512 711email
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